Passenger Bus, Rail and Motorcoach Industry News

Campus transit operators offer a wide range of additional transit options, ranging from charter bus services to partnerships with Greyhound and Megabus to coordinating with Amtrak for students going home for the holidays. Additionally, one operator extended its late-night demand-response service for students who stay on campus during Thanksgiving and winter breaks.

Transit operators from California, Texas, Illinois and Colorado are making it easy for students and faculty to commute to and get around campus by bicycle, offering a wide variety of service, ranging from bike repair stations to folding bicycle promotions.

Of the three educational bus trips organized by Columbia, Mo. city officials, a visit to the University of Illinois showed the largest disparity between the city of Columbia’s bus system, which serves Missouri University, and other school systems.

Reports a nearly 50 percent decrease in the number of students purchasing parking permits in the last four years. Meanwhile, Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District bus ridership has reached record levels.

On track to hit 10.6 million riders by summer, the agency is taking several initiatives to serve its growing passenger base, such as adding hybrid buses to its fleet; utilizing more social media tools and making its facilities even more eco-friendly.

Five information kiosks, displaying scheduled bus arrivals, anticipated wait times and re-routes, are currently in operation along routes on campus. The transit district will eventually install 22 kiosks.